China's economic growth 'hard to predict'

The worsening global economic situation makes it difficult for China to predict its growth for next year, a senior official said on Friday.

“How fast China’s economy will grow next year is uncertain,” Liu He, deputy director of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economy Work, told China Daily.

“To a large extent, the rate will be decided by the external（外部的）situation,” Liu said during a discussion with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and other economists in Beijing.

This year, GDP is estimated to grow at 9.4 or 9.5 percent, down from 10.6 percent last year, he said. However, the impact of the current financial turbulence “on our economy is much less than on the rest of the world”, he said.

Nicholas Stern, a former UK government advisor, also told China Daily it will take at least one or two years for the world to recover from the recession, which is now spreading from the US and the UK to the rest of the world.

“We don’t know how long the recession will last, but it is unlikely to be short,” he said.

Liu said China can use the downturn（衰退）as an opportunity to restructure its economy, which has relied heavily on government investment, foreign trade and low-cost technology over the past years.

“When the economy is experiencing fast growth, companies are unwilling to upgrade their technologies,” Liu said.

“The slowdown gives such firms the opportunity to enhance（提高）their competitive edge through better technologies.”

From China Daily

2008-10-25

1.How many people are mentioned in this passage?

   A. only 2     B. no more than 3     C. not more than 4     D. at least 5

2.It can be inferred from Liu’s words that the impact of the current financial turbulence on China’s economy is ________ in the world.

  A. more       B. less              C. the most           D. the least

3.The underlined word “extent” probably means ________.

  A. sense       B. degree           C. size               D. depth 

4.According to the passage, the reason why Liu said this downturn is an opportunity for China to restructure its economy is that ________.

  A. China’s economy will not depend on government investment in the future

  B. Foreign trade will grow in the future

  C. The downturn will force China’s companies to upgrade their technologies

D. Low-cost technologies will not exist in China

此题要求改正所给短文中的错误。对标有题号的每一行做出判断：如无错误，在该行右边横线上画一个勾(√)；如有错误(每行只有一个错误)，则按下列情况改正：

    该行多一个词：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉，在该行右边横线上写出该词，并也用斜线划掉。该行缺一个词：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，在该行右边横线上写出该加的词。该行错一个词；在错的词下划一横线，在该行右边横线上写出改正后的词。注意：原行没有错的不要改。

In China there is about 50 million disabled                 1._____

people. We should try our best make their life                      2._____

much easy. For example, when we design a building,              3._____

we’ll have to provide a entrance which is suitable                 4._____

for wheelchairs on the first ground floor. The                     5._____

Chinese government takes good care for their life.              6._____

Many people with disables have received good treatment          7._____

from the government. Meanwhile, more and more                 8.______

special schools have built for them. But that is                 9.______

not enough, their life will be much better                      10.______

unless everyone shows love for them.

根据所给图表，为某城市市报写一篇新闻报道，简要描述该市近年家用电脑用户增长情况，并分析其增长原因。主要原因为：电脑在各个领域的广泛运用；上网获取信息的方便、快捷；学校普遍开设电脑课程；近两年家庭收入增长等。

注意：1.词数100左右；   

2.开头已为你写好。

Recently the average number of personal computers in every 100 families has been increasing rapidly in our city. In 1995                                                          

Universities are institutions that teach a wide variety of subjects at advanced levels. They also carry out research work aimed at extending man's knowledge of these subjects. The emphasis given to each of these functions   __1_____from university to university, according to the views of the people in ___2___ and according to the resources available. The smaller and newer universities do not ____3_____ the staff or equipment to carry out the vast research projects possible in larger institutions. But most experts agree that some research activity is _____4______ to keep the staff and their students in ____5_____ with the latest developments in their subjects.

Most students attend a university mainly to ____6_______ the knowledge needed for their chosen profession. Educationists believe that this aim should not be the only one. Universities have always aimed to produce men and women with judgment and wisdom as well as knowledge. For this reason, they ____7____ students to meet others with differing _____8_____ and to read widely to increase their understanding in many fields of study. Upon a secondary school course, a student should be interested enough in a subject to enjoy gaining knowledge for its own _____9_______. He should be prepared to ____10______ every effort to study his chosen field in depth. He should have an ambition to make some truthful contribution to man's knowledge.

1.A) turns       B) ranges            C) moves            D) varies

2.A) order       B) place             C) control           D) favor

3.A) occupy     B) possess           C) involve           D) spare

4.A) natural     B)casual             C) possible         D) essential

5.A) effect       B) mind            C) touch             D) grasp

6.A) acquire     B) accept            C) endure           D) ensure

7.A) arrange     B) suggest           C) encourage         D) anticipate

8.A) histories    B) interests           C) expressions       D) curiosities

9.A) object      B) effect             C) course           D) sake

10.A) take        B) make             C) suffer           D) pay

Some years ago I was offered a writing assignment ____1._____would require three months of travel through Europe. I had been abroad a couple of times, ____2.___I could hardly claim to know my way around the continent. ___ 3.____, my knowledge of foreign languages was limited to a little college French.

I hesitated. ___4._______would I, unable to speak the language, totally unfamiliar ___5._____ local geography or transportation systems, set up interviews and do research? It seemed impossible, and with considerable regret, I sat down to write a letter ______6.____ (beg) to be released from the assignment. Halfway through, a thought ran through my mind: you can’t learn if you don’t try. So I accepted the assignment.

There were some bad moments. But by the time I finished the trip I was ___7.____ experienced traveler. And ever since, I have never hesitated to head for even the most remote of places，without guides or even _____8.____ (advance) bookings，confident that somehow I will manage.

    The point is that the new, the different, is almost by definition scary. But each time you try something，you learn，and _____9._____the learning piles up，the world opens to you.

I’ve learned to ski at 40, and flown up the Rhine River in a balloon. And I know I’ll go on doing such things. It’s not because I’m braver or more daring than others. I’m not. But I’ll accept _____10._____(anxious) as another name for challenge and I believe I can accomplish wonders.

I came to study in the United States a year ago. Yet I did not know the real American society until I was injured in a car accident because after the accident I had to see a doctor and go to court.

     After the accident, my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very grateful and determined to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $200 for what he had done. I was astonished. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible for my injury, I’d have to have a good lawyer. And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer .Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair that I should pay him .But every time I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $115 each time. The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $215. My lawyer was all smiles the first time we met. But after that he avoided seeing me at all. He knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided to dismiss him. And he made me pay him $770.

Now I had to act as my own lawyer. Due to my inexperience, I told the insurance company the date I was leaving America. Knowing that ,they played for time,… and I left without getting a cent.

My experiences taught me two things about America: firstly, in a country like America money is everything. It is more important than friendship, honor or professional morality. Secondly, foreigners are still being unfairly treated. So when we talk about America, we should see both its good and bad sides.

1.The author’s roommate offered to help him because _____.

   A. he felt sorry for the author

   B. he thought it was a chance to make some money

   C. he knew the doctor was a very good one

   D. he wanted the author to have a good lawyer

2.A good doctor is essential for the author to_____.

   A. be properly treated       

B. talk with the person responsible for the accident

   C. recover before he leaves America

   D. eventually get the responsible party to pay for his injury

3.The underlined word “ charge ” in this passage means ______.

   A. be responsible       B. accuse       C. ask as a price       D. claim

4.Both the doctor and the lawyer in this passage are very ______.

   A. friendly        B. greedy       C. professional         D. busy

5.What conclusion can you draw from the story?

   A. Going to court is something very common in America.

   B. One must be very careful while driving a car.

   C. there are more bad sides in America than good sides.

   D. Money is more important than other things in the US.

     In 1605 some Englishmen planned to kill their king, James I, because they thought he was a bad man. They knew that on November 5th the king would go to the House of Lords to talk with his nobles.

The men rented a building next to the House of Lords. They dug through a wall and put many barrels of gunpowder in a cellar of the House of Lords. They chose a man called Guy Fawkes to set fires to the gunpowder but something went wrong with their plan. One of the men had a relative who was coming to the House of Lords to meet the King. He warned his relative to stay at home .The relative spoke to other nobles and soon the King heard about the danger. Soldiers searched the cellars and found the gunpowder on November 4th, Guy Fawkes was caught and killed.

Every year, on November 5th , English children remember Guy Fawkes . They collect old boxes, newspapers and rubbish so that they can make a big fire, which they call a bonfire. They put a pole in the middle of the fire and tie a “guy” to it . “The guy” is the figure of Guy Fawkes and is made of old clothes and paper . Sometimes they push their “guy” round the streets in a cart and ask for money so that they can buy fireworks.

In the evening they light the bonfire and let off many fireworks: crackers, rockets , bangers and many other kinds .November 5th is an exciting day for children in England. It is always a busy day for firemen and for hospitals. Sparks from the bonfires sometimes set fire to fences, trees or houses. Every year children are injured when fireworks exploded unexpectedly.

1.Some Englishmen planned to kill their king because _______.

  A. they thought highly of him              B. they thought poorly of him

  C. they thought nothing of him             D. they thought well of him

2.Something went wrong with their plan because one of the men _____ .

  A. told the King about                B. told other nobles about it

  C. told his relative about it             D. Guy Fawkes was killed

3.How do English children remember Guy Fawkes every year ?

  A. They make a bonfire                 B. They make a figure of Guy

  C. They left off fireworks.               D. All above.

4.The phrase “let off many fireworks” in the passage means “_____”.

  A. allow the fireworks to leave         B. cause the fireworks to explode

  C. keep the fireworks off the bonfire     D. put the fireworks into the bonfire

5.November 5th is a busy day for firemen because ______.

    A. fireworks are in great need            

    B. quite a few houses catch fire when fireworks explode

    C. many children are injured by the unexpected explosion of fireworks

    D. both B and C

Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you've visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.

In fact, it's likely that some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen ---- the 21st century replacement of being caught naked.

Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it's important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times. But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs(碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.

The key question is: Does that matter?

For many Americans, the answer apparently is "no."

When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found a strong bad feeling about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is "slipping away, and that bothers me."

But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny part of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths(收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acquisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will give away personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon(优惠卷)。

But privacy does matter ---- at least sometimes. It's like health: When you have it, you don't notice it. Only when it's gone do you wish you'd done more to protect it.

1.What does the author mean by saying "the 21st century replacement of being caught naked"?

A) People's personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge.

B) In the 21st century people try every means to look into others' secrets.

C) People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age.

D) Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology.

2.What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?

A) Friends should open their hearts to each other.

B) Friends should always be faithful to each other.

C) There should be a distance even between friends.

D) There should be fewer arguments between friends.

3.Why does the author say "we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret"？

A) Modern society has finally developed into an open society.

B) People leave traces around when using modern technology.

C) There are always people who are curious about others' affairs.

D) Many search engines benefit from giving away people's identities.

4.What do most Americans do as for privacy protection?

A) They change behaviors that might disclose their identity.

B) They use various loyalty cards for business transactions(交易).

C) They rely most and more on electronic devices.

D) They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it.

5.According to the passage, privacy is like health because ___.

A) people will make every effort to keep it.   

B) its importance is rarely understood

C) it is something that can easily be lost    

 D) people don't treasure it until they lose it

The people below are all looking for a hotel in Scotland for their holidays. After the description of these people, there is information about six Scotland hotels A-F. Decide which hotel would be most suitable for the people mentioned in questions 56-60

A．Edinburgh. Post House

    A popular base for visitors to Edinburgh, this fine hotel stands next to the zoological Gardens within easy reach of the many famous sights, shops and entertainments of one of Europe’s most elegant capitals.

B．Gatehouse of Fleet. Cally Hotel

    This impressive hotel, well-known for its good Scottish cooking, is an ideal choice for a relaxing family holiday. Set in 100 acres of private grounds, the Cally, a former stately home, has something for everyone including its own fishing lake, outdoor heated swimming pool, green lawn, tennis court, children’s playground and sauna baths.

C．Glenborrodale. Glenborrodale Castle Hotel

    There can be few better places for a refreshing holiday than this picturesque hotel set in its own 120 acres of beautiful countryside by charming Lake Sunart on the Ardnamurchan Peninsular（半岛）. Boating and fishing are both available here.

D．Inverness. Royal Hotel!   

    A unique feature of the Royal is its fine collection of antique furniture, china and glass. This friendly comfortable hotel, a favourite meeting place for the townspeople, is an excellent base for getting to know the Highlands-Lake Ness, Great Gien and Culloden Moor are all within easy reach.

E．Peebles. Tontine Hotel

    The Tontine had a fascinating beginning-it was built in 1808. This homely hotel has been extended to make it a really comfortable base for exploring the Tweed Valley and the attractive Lowland country.

F．North Berwick. Marine Hotel

This fine hotel overlooks the famous West Links golf course and is close to several sandy beaches. The Marine has its own open-air swimming pool and putting green as well as tennis courts, squash courts and saunas. Edinburgh, well-know for its art festivals, is only some 24 miles away.

1.Two women friends who want to do several all-day hikes in the mountains during the spring. They like a place with traditional decorations and superb views

2.A woman with two children aged six and ten, who will spend July in Scotland. The children are interested in animals and plants and the mother enjoys fashions.

3.A handicapped lawyer who must use a wheelchair but drives her own car. She enjoys concerts, museums, fine architecture and swimming. She will spend the first two weeks of October in Scotland.

4.A writer, a teacher and their one-year-old daughter. They want to be in a quiet place during August. They enjoy good food, and like to take long walks(the baby rides in a back-pack).

5.An old couple, aged 65 and 68. They love mountain scenery and still take easy walks by the lakeside when they can. They hope to enjoy fresh air and some relaxing activities.

假设你是李华，你的英国笔友Bob将于十月到你所在城市的建新华文中学学中文，来信请你在学校附近为他找一套住房。请根据图画提供的信息，写信介绍住房的情况，并告知住房面积为25平方米，月租500元。

[写作要求]

只能使用5个句子表达全部的内容，开头已经写好，不计入总句数。

参考词汇：房租— rent (n .)。

内容要点：

1．公寓（一室带浴室、厨房）   

2．面积、家具（25平米、床、沙发、书桌、椅子）

3．公寓位置（芳草街，离学校一站远）

4．月租500元

5.结尾

 [评分标准] 句子结构的准确性，信息内容的完整性和连贯性。

Dear Bob,

　　I’m so glad to learn that you’re coming in October.                                                                                

　　                                                                                             Yours，

Li Hua